From There and Back Again: A Commentary on the Future of Animal Transfers in Zoos and Aquariums

Abstract

ABSTRACT Animal transfers among zoos and aquariums are essential for sustaining genetically diverse and demographically stable populations. However, they mark substantially disruptive events in an animal's life under human care. Current transfer practices—spanning population recommendations, health evaluation, transport, quarantine, and subsequent introduction—are shaped by decades of experience and now face growing impacts of climate change, regulatory complexity, and evolving welfare standards. Aquatic species, in particular, highlight gaps in existing protocols due to their wide array of unique physiological and environmental needs. This commentary examines the limitations of current approaches and explores opportunities to transform transfers over the next 50 years through innovation, collaboration, and data‐driven strategies. Adapting well‐established tools, such as PMCTrack, Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), and Tracks Software, into welfare‐focused technologies, reproductive alternatives, and expanded biobanking, offers pathways to mitigate stress and enhance animal welfare. By rethinking processes and integrating species‐specific welfare considerations, zoos and aquariums can ensure that transfers achieve operational goals by meeting individual animal needs and also advancing long‐term population sustainability.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Zoo Biology, 2026 · DOI ↗